Reserving a Property (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Should you make an offer on a property and it be accepted by the Landlord, you will be asked to pay a holding deposit equivalent to one weeks agreed rent. This will remove the property from the market whilst reference checks and preparation of the tenancy agreement is undertaken. The holding fee is taken as a financial commitment from you, the prospective tenant to proceed towards entering into the agreement.

Once paid, both parties will have two weeks to enter into a tenancy agreement however this may be extended if agreed by both parties in writing.

Refunding a Holding Deposit

Should you proceed to enter into a tenancy agreement with the Landlord, the holding fee will be paid towards the balances of your first month’s rent.

Should the Landlord choose to withdraw from entering into the agreement, this money will be refunded to you.

Retaining a Holding Deposit

A Holding Deposit will be retained where a prospective tenant;

• Provides false or misleading information which is reasonable considered when deciding a let of a property
• Fails a right to rent check
• Withdraws from entering into an agreement for the property
• Fails to take reasonable steps to enter into a tenancy agreement

Should any of the above occur, Purplebricks retains the right to deduct its reasonable expenses on a case by case basis which may include the administration, referencing or any other costs incurred.

Reserving a Property (Scotland)

Once an offer has been accepted you will be asked to provide details for your references. No holding fee will be payable.

Referencing Criteria and Tenancy Agreement

More information on our referencing criteria and a draft of the tenancy agreement can be found in our Terms and Conditions here.

Referencing fee payable per occupant over 18 years old.

England and Wales - £118.80 inc. .

Students - £72 inc. .

Includes the full cost of referencing all of the tenants that will form part of the tenancy and will cover:

• Checking credit status;
• Previous employer;
• Current or past landlords; and
• Any other information to help assess the affordability of the application.

Company lets will be subject to an administration fee charge of £90 inc. VAT.

Inventory fee (England, Wales and London only)

Some landlords ask Purplebricks to employ an external inventory company to produce an inventory for their property before the move in. Where this applies, the cost is split between the landlord and tenant.

Inventory documentation will detail the fixtures, fittings and condition of a property prior to the commencement of a tenancy; this will subsequently provide the basis for settlement in a deposit dispute. If an inventory is inadequate or non-existent then a deposit adjudicator is likely to award the deposit to the outgoing tenant, leaving a landlord out of pocket for any dirt or damage that is left behind.

Purplebricks can arrange for an inventory to be compiled at a cost of £90 inc. for 1 to 3 bed properties and £120 inc. VAT for 4+ bed properties. Please note that London properties will be subject to a variation on these prices, £120 inc. for 1-3 bedrooms and £150 inc. for 4+ bedrooms.

Scotland

Prospective tenants of properties in Scotland are not required to pay any of the fees detailed above.

Northern Ireland

Prospective tenants of properties in Northern Ireland will be asked to pay £48 including VAT referencing fees per person. No inventory fees will be payable.